Definition of persecute Persecute

/pɚˈsʌkjuˌt/ - [persukyut] - per•se•cute

We found 7 definitions of persecute from 5 different sources.

What does persecute mean?

WordNet

Verb persecutes, persecuting, persecuted
persecute - cause to suffer; "Jews were persecuted in the former Soviet Union"
		oppress
		bedevil, frustrate, torment, crucify, dun, rag torment emotionally or mentally
		purge excrete or evacuate (someone's bowels or body); "The doctor decided that the patient must be purged"

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Wiktionary

persecute (Verb)
To pursue in a manner to injure, grieve, or afflict; to beset with cruelty or malignity; to harass; especially, to afflict, harass, punish, or put to death for one's race, sexual identity, adherence to a particular religious creed, or mode of worship.
persecute (Verb)
To harass with importunity; to pursue with persistent solicitations; to annoy.

Webster DictionaryWebster's Unabridged Dictionary 📘

persecute (v. t.)
To pursue in a manner to injure, grieve, or afflict; to beset with cruelty or malignity; to harass; especially, to afflict, harass, punish, or put to death, for adherence to a particular religious creed or mode of worship.
persecute (v. t.)
To harass with importunity; to pursue with persistent solicitations; to annoy.

Chambers DictionaryChamber's 20th Century Dictionary 📕

persecute
pėr′se-kūt, v.t. to pursue so as to injure or annoy: to follow after persistently: to annoy or punish, esp. for religious or political opinions.—ns. Persecū′tion, act or practice of persecuting: state of being persecuted: a time of general oppression on account of religious opinions; Per′secūtor:—fem. Per′secūtrix. [Fr.,—L. persequi, persecutus—per, thoroughly, sequi, to follow.]

Part of speech

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persecute, verb, present, 1st person singular of persecute (infinitive).
persecute, verb (infinitive).

Pronunciation

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Sign Language

persecute in sign language

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